Anti-graft NGO says the new department has yet to clarify its role, as well as whether its functions overlap with those of MACC.
The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) added that the public tension between the two bodies undermined public confidence in the government’s ability to implement good governance reforms.
“Since its inception, JITN has not purposefully clarified its role. It is time to do so.
“C4 Center believes that there is a real possibility of overlap of function between MACC and the newly established JITN, which may be causing the animosity between both agencies.
“Such overlap lends credence to the belief that there are many white elephants in government which are a waste of public funds,” C4 executive director Cynthia Gabriel said in a statement.
The conflict between the two bodies dates back to September last year, following the announcement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low of the proposal for JITN.
MACC said then that the new department was redundant and would be a waste of public funds as its role could be carried out by existing agencies such as MACC, Integrity Institute of Malaysia, Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission and Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.
MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad also said JITN would erode the autonomy of MACC.
However, Low said those who objected to JITN did so out of ignorance and had no clear understanding of what it was established to do.
He said JITN would serve as the department in charge of proposing change to the Cabinet, adding that he would clear up all objections “in time”.
Gabriel said the apparent conflict between MACC and JITN made the government’s intentions “extremely unclear”, as well as whether there was an overlap in function or not.
“It is supremely clear from Section 2 of the MACC Act that the MACC has the prerogative to promote the integrity and accountability of the public sector – but what about JITN?
“Why is their parliamentary proposal not easily accessible? Why are their roles and responsibilities not made known? Will this be another public relations exercise and a waste of public funds?” she said.
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Sumber Tell us what you’re all about, C4 tells Putrajaya’s new integrity dept